4 common myths about executive ghostwriters
/Being an executive ghostwriter is like being a spy in one way: it sounds cool, but the details of the job are hazy for most people, especially folks who have never worked with the profession before. Today, I want to dispel a few common myths about ghostwriters I’ve heard over the last seven years I’ve spent doing this work.
Myth #1: Ghostwriters secretly want the byline
“Doesn’t it bother you that someone else gets credit for your writing?” I’ve heard that a lot. And, no it doesn’t. First reason is because I enjoy working behind-the-scenes, like an invisible hand helping things run smoothly. I don’t need to be in the spotlight. And second, because that’s the agreement. When you hire me to ghostwrite for you, I help you get your ideas into the written word because that’s my job. I’m not sitting around thinking, “That should be my name.” Instead, I’m thinking about submitting a draft that requires few revisions, if any.
Myth #2: Ghostwriters can work with anyone
I wrote for an executive for over five years and one time she said to me, “Andrea, you’re such a good writer.” I confessed: “Lady, I just write down what you say and call it good writing.” It was a joke but as with most comedy, the humour comes from the part that’s true. So, if ghostwriting is about listening to your person and capturing what s/he tells you, shouldn’t we be able to work with anyone? Technically: yes. Actually: no.
Fit is important. Trust matters. It’s a personal relationship and both parties must like and respect the other person. And even if it works on paper, it doesn’t mean it works in reality. So, if you’re considering someone as your ghostwriter and you’ve got a bad feeling about the fit, listen and run away.
Myth #3: Ghostwriters must have the same professional background as their clients
Sharing a professional background often puts the hiring person at ease. And sometimes, it’s the most important thing to that person. Like when I spoke to a marketing director in financial services who said her financial folks won’t work with writers outside the industry because they don’t believe outsiders can do the topic justice. For these types, this is not a ghostwriting myth.
But for many people, must-hire-the-same-professional-background is a myth. What matters more is fit and comfort. I’ve written for clients far out of my professional background including accounting partners, an encryption company, an enterprise information management company and the president of an insurance brokerage. These worked out well because we liked and trusted each other, and I asked a lot of questions to pull out the right information from my clients’ brains.
Myth #4: Ghostwriters just write books
Book writing is often the first thing that comes to mind with ghostwriting. But there are lots of other projects executive ghostwriters do that don’t involve book writing: thought leadership content marketing, white papers, speeches, placed articles and LinkedIn articles, etc.
Is now the right time to confess I’ve never ghostwritten a book? Did you know that a typical business book is 75,000 words and a six to 12-month project? If you’re going to hire a ghostwriter for a book, fit is even more important than usual because you’ll be spending so much time together on a big-ticket and big impact project.
There you have it: four ghostwriting myths busted!
Did I miss any?
I'm Andrea Bassett, an executive ghostwriter and content marketing writer in Toronto and I’ve spent the last decade serving executives.
I write thought leadership content marketing for executives and/or their content marketing teams. My specializations are corporate wellness, benefits, employee assistance programs, leadership & coaching, encryption & cybersecurity and strength training for seniors.
To talk about a content marketing project, call me at 647-502-3187 or send a note to andrea@redsailwriters.com.
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